Piper PA-23-250 Aztec G-AWXW at Leeds-Bradford airfield.
On Wednesday, 8th December 1982 this aircraft flown from Gatwick to Leeds and was making an approach to land at Leeds-Bradford airfield when the pilot noticed that only two of the three undercarriage-locked cockpit lights were showing. After various checks were made in the aircraft, the pilot contacted the control tower to inform them of the problem. Fire service personnel were despatched to the runway to inspect the aircraft's nose undercarriage with a spotlight as it made two low passes of the runway. Everything appeared to be correctly lowered and after flying circuits of the airfield the decision was made to land the aircraft. It then touched down on Runway 28 at 17.30hrs with the main wheels but when the nose wheel eventually touched the ground the nose undercarriage leg collapsed. It slid to a halt near the intersection of Runway 33. Despite the damage there were no injuries reported. An inspection of the locking mechanism on the nose undercarriage found that grit was lodged in it.
The aircraft was registered to Eric Thurston Group Management Co.Ltd. of Stapleford Aerodrome, Romford, Essex, at the time of this incident.
Pilot - Name unknown.
Pilot - Name unknown.
4 Passengers - Names unknown.